Portable transcriber unit

ABSTRACT

A transcriber unit adapted to attach to a typewriter or typewriter desk in close proximity to the operator&#39;&#39;s hands for ease of operation, the transcriber having a transcriber switch preferably located near the typewriter spacer bar. A portable magnetic tape recorder placed in the transcriber unit is re-wound and the recorded portion played by means of the transcriber switch in accordance with the operator&#39;&#39;s speed and desire.

[ 1 May 16, 1972 United States Patent Jordan .197/19 UX .274/2 X [54] PORTABLE TRANSCRIBER UNIT 3,417,202 12/1968 Albert Paul Jordan, 1103 Colony Drive, 3,521,010 7/1970 Mechanicsville, Va. 2311 1 Apr. 30, 1970 [72] Inventor:

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS France.............,... 1,027,923 2/1953 France ...l97/l80 [22] Filed:

[21] Appl.No.: 33,314

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[56] References Cited A transcriber unit adapted to attach to a typewriter or UNITED STATES PATENTS typewriter desk in close proximity to the operators hands for ease of operation, the transcriber having a transcriber switch preferably located near the typewriter spacer bar. A portable PATENTEnnmsmz 3.662.868

lNVl-INTUR ALEEIRT P. JORDAN A'I'TORN EY l PORTABLE TRANSCRIBER UNIT This invention is a portable transcriber unit for portable magnetic tape recorders having a tape advance-rewind switch, a voice reproduction speaker system and, of course, a recording switch and accompanying system. Present recording-transcribing units most commonly employed in offices are of the dictaphone or IBM type comprised of a recording machine and a separate transcriber machine, the latter operated by the typists foot while listening through an ear piece at the typewriter. Such units complete cost from $300.00 to $700.00 at todays prices. Other less expensive systems are available, but also require a separate machine system to permit transcribing by a typist conveniently while operating a typewriter, and such complete systems are, therefore, only available at approximately double the cost of the recorder machine alone.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a transcriber unit for portable recorders which permits the recorder to double not only as a sound receiving device, but also as a transcriber yet without the necessity of making any alterations of the machine. The invention particularly relates to those having a combined tape advance-rewind switch to operate a magnetic tape such as the Model 85 Philips or 85 Norelco recorder illustrated in the drawing. v

The transcriber unit of this invention is comprised of a compartment for receiving the recording machine, and a control switch which operates the machine, once it is placed properly in the transcriber, to effect tape advance for listening or tape rewind to repeat all or a part of the recorded message. The transcriber conveniently fits in space not previously used by the typist near the typewriter spacer bar so that the typists hands need not leave the typewriter.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in this art from the appended claims and following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a three dimensional view of a conventional typewriter having a transcriber unit and recording machine attached thereto in front of the typewriter spacer bar.

FIG. 2 is a three dimensional view showing in detail the transcriber unit and its relationship to the recording machine.

FIG. 3 is front elevation view of the transcriber unit of this invention. t

FIG. 4 is a plane view of the transcriber unit as shown in FIG. 3. Referring to the drawing, in FIG. 1 is shown a conventional typewriter supported by base legs or continuous base on a typists table 20. At the front of the keyboard is a spacer bar and a transcriber unit of the invention indicated generally as 30. Base plate 35, which is a flat metal sheet rigidly fixed to the transcriber 30, extends rearwardly therefrom under typewriter base 15. The weight of the typewriter 10 holds the transcriber in place.

Referring also to FIGS. 2-4, the transcriber 30, in its preferred embodiment, is comprised of a tubular compartment for receiving a battery operated, portable recorder shown only in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in the phantom lines in FIGS. 3 and 4. The recorder rests on bottom plate 50. It is received in compartment 40 from right to left as you look at the drawing, being inserted until it meets flange 55. In this position the recorder operating elements are accessible and the unit is ready for transcribing. The recorder elements, which are very compact, are a press-to-record switch 60, a combined tape ad- Vance-rewind switch 65, a volume control dial 70, an earpiece jack socket 75 and a window to view the amount of tape available. The recorder 45 is of the type that records sound when switch 60 is depressed inwardly, but when switch 65, which is pivoted laterally across its center, is depressed to the right as shown in FIG. 4, switch 60 is automatically released and the recorder tape 90 rewinds. Thereafter, depressing switch 65 results in further rewind or tape advance and playback for transcription until switch 60 is again manually depressed for further recording. On the back wall of compartment 40 is control bar pivotally mounted at 105. The ar 100 IS T-shaped generally as shown In FIGS. 2 and 3. With the recorder 45 located within the transcriber 30 as described above, advance-rewind switch 65 and the vertical stem of bar 100 contact each other as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, for the typist to operate the transcriber 30, all that is required is a light movement of control bar 100 about pivot 105 as illustrated in FIG. 3, which depresses switch 65 as desired to either rewind or advance the tape 90 so she can listen to the message recorded thereon, or to position it in a center hold or neutral station when neither is required as she types. The action of a spring built in association with switch 65 is imparted to bar 100 due to the contact of these elements.

An angle bracket attached to the rear of wall 95 extends rearwardly to fit into socket fixed to base plate 35. In the event the typist wishes to remove the transcriber unit 30 without lifting the typewriter 10 the angle bracket 115 can be disengaged leaving the base plate 35 for the next time transcribing is desired.

The main wall 95 is the backbone of the unit 30 on which the recorder 45 is held by compartment 40 or other suitable means, to which control bar 100 is pivoted, and on which the angle bracket 115 or other suitable means for mounting the unit 30 near the typewriter 10, especially but not necessarily the spacer bar 25, is attached.

Various modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art and may be made in the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and it is therefore to be understood that the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A transcriber unit for receiving a portable tape recorder having a tape advance-rewind switch on one side thereof, said transcribing unit comprising a main wall, mounting means on the rear side of said wall for locating the unit for operation conveniently near the typewriter, means on the opposite side of said wall for receiving and holding said recorder in place for transcribing, and a control bar pivotally mounted on said wall and positioned to meet and operate said tape advance-rewind switch of the recorder held in said unit.

2. A transcriber unit as described in claim 1 wherein said receiving and holding means is comprised of a tubular compartment of approximately the same size and shape as said recorder.

3. A transcriber unit as described in claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a base plate extending at approximately a right angle rearwardly from the lower side of said main wall for a sufficient length to permit a typewriter to rest thereon and hold said unit in place.

4. A transcriber unit as described in claim 1 wherein said control bar is located in front and slightly below the typewriter spacer bar whereby a typist need not remove her hands while operating the control bar. 

1. A transcriber unit for receiving a portable tape recorder having a tape advance-rewind switch on one side thereof, said transcribing unit comprising a main wall, mounting means on the rear side of said wall for locating the unit for operation conveniently near the typewriter, means on the opposite side of said wall for receiving and holding said recorder in place for transcribing, and a control bar pivotally mounted on said wall and positioned to meet and operate said tape advance-rewind switch of the recorder held in said unit.
 2. A transcriber unit as described in claim 1 wherein said receiving and holding means is comprised of a tubular compartment of approximately the same size and shape as said recorder.
 3. A transcriber unit as described in claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a base plate extending at approximately a right angle rearwardly from the lower side of said main wall for a sufficient length tO permit a typewriter to rest thereon and hold said unit in place.
 4. A transcriber unit as described in claim 1 wherein said control bar is located in front and slightly below the typewriter spacer bar whereby a typist need not remove her hands while operating the control bar. 